Volkswagen Passat News

The LA show might have just finished, but the teaser schedule for the Detroit Motor Show is already in full swing, with VW the latest to join the party with the first sketches of its 2020 Passat sedan.

Following its sell-out run earlier this year, Volkswagen Australia has moved to import a further 250 examples of the Passat Alltrack Wolfsburg Edition.

Skoda has previewed the future of its design language with the release of a single teaser image, which appears to move away from the Czech brand's previously whimsical features in favour of a more purposeful look.Similarities can be seen between the side profile sketch and the car-maker's VisionC five-door coupe concept from the 2014 Geneva motor show, which hinted at the look of the upcoming Superb sedan and wagon that went on sale in Australia early last year.Angular headlight and tail-light designs seen in the darkened teaser are reminiscent of the VisionC, suggesting that Skoda may follow through on the concept and produce their own version of the Volkswagen Arteon which made its debut at this year's Geneva show.Succeeding the CC, the Arteon shares the Passat's underpinnings and changes its form to that of a swoopy liftback sedan, with the flagship Volkswagen set to arrive in October this year.While no such model is in the pipeline yet, an Arteon-based product would be a fitting addition to the manufacturer's line-up.Superb and Passat models are built on the same platform, meaning that Skoda's own version of the Arteon – which would pay homage to the VisionC – remains on the cards.Thrust could be provided by the Arteon's 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which develops 206kW of power and 350Nm of torque.Top-of-the-line all-wheel drive Superb and Passat variants, as well as the forthcoming Arteon, already use this powerplant and pair it with a six-speed 'DSG' dual-clutch automatic transmission.Skoda Australia PR boss Paul Pottinger said that while no such model is in the pipeline yet, an Arteon-based product would be a fitting addition to the manufacturer's line-up."This goes to the fundamental nature of MQB (Volkswagen Group's front- and all-wheel drive platform) and its modularity, so I think if a platform can support cars as diverse as an Octavia and a Kodiaq, then certainly it wouldn't be illogical to suggest it could support something that's much closer in nature as a Superb and an Arteon-like vehicle," he said.The so-called 'quirkiness' is probably a thing of the past and more svelte, sculpted lines are very much where Skoda is now.Mr Pottinger also suggested that brand's distinctive Yeti will follow the design direction of other new Skoda models when it is eventually updated, meaning that the small SUV and its Kodiaq big brother – scheduled for release in June – will share a family look."The Kodiaq is very much in the vein of our design language now, and I think that the so-called 'quirkiness' is probably a thing of the past and more svelte, sculpted lines are very much where Skoda is now," he said."So that more practical, utilitarian aspect of Skoda for which it's been synonymous is going to henceforth be covered with more classic, sculpted external lines."Native crystal glass art has served as inspiration for the new design language, which can be seen by the  triangular shape of the headlights and tail-lights in the image, according to the brand.

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Volkswagen has released a limited edition of its jacked-up Passat Alltrack wagon called the Wolfsburg Edition, priced from $54,990 before on-roads and boasting unique styling, adjustable ride settings

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A new performance Passat is en route to Australia, with VW confirming a Golf R-powered version of its mid-size sedan and wagon will arrive in November.The all-wheel-drive 206TSI R-Line will headline the Passat’s MY17 model updates, landing Down Under with a $57,990 sticker price, or $59,990 for the wagon.The order books are now open for the 206TSI R-Line, powered by the 206kW, 350Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre from the brand’s current performance powerhouse, the Golf R. The 206TSI R-Line is being touted by VW as the spiritual successor to the V6-powered R36 Passat, last sold in Australia in 2010. The performance Passat arrives with VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system as standard, helping propel the sedan to 100km/h in just 5.5 seconds, with the wagon nipping at its heels in 5.7 seconds. Both the sedan and wagon will be equipped with VW’s six-speed DSG transmission as standard, along with an adaptive chassis control system with several driving modes.Outside, the 206TSI R-Line will wear the same 19-inch alloys and bodykit as the other R-Line variants, but arrives with dynamic LED headlights and new badging. Inside, you’ll find VW’s Active Info Display, along with leather-trimmed seats, alloy pedals and a flat-bottom wheel winged by paddle shifters. “The R-Line is a genuine performance car – not just a sports kit. It’s both a worthy successor to the R36 and a car to throw a fright into the prestige brands,” said General Manager of Sales for Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles, Ryan Davies.The MY17 updates will also see a number of smaller revisions to the Passat range, including new 17-inch Soho alloys and city AEB offered as standard on the 132TSi, while the driver’s seats in the Comfortline, Highline and Alltrack trim levels will get a memory function.The R-Line style pack will add Active Info Display, and will get different 18-inch Monterey alloys. Volkswagen is yet to confirm pricing on the rest of the updated Passat range. 

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